Relates to providing universal school meals to students

• Democratic90
• Republican34

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Michelle Hinchey says this is needed

The health and economic crises brought on by the COV1D-19 pandemic have made the importance of the federal school meat programs clearer than ever. A record number of New Yorkers do not have enough to eat, and it is Likely that the economic recovery for families who struggle to put food on the table will take years beyond the end of the pandemic. While many New York schools - predominantly our larger, urban school districts - offer meals at no cost for all through CEP, 270 schools in our state are eligible for CEP but not participating, often because they are unable to make it work financially. Many of these schools are our smallest school districts in rural communities, where poverty is less concentrated but still prevalent. There has never been a more important time to invest in school meals. As of 2024 nine states have fully implemented free school meals regard- less of income, as well as several municipalities in New York State including New York City and Albany. 1 This bill would ensure that every K-12 student in New York has equal access to a nutritious breakfast and lunch at school to support their health and academic success at no cost to them.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.